Artist description Thanks for coming to the website, and thanks for the interest in the McCarthys. While we occasionally channel the spirits and take on the persona of some famous relatives (Charlie McCarthy, Jenny McCarthy, Eugene McCarthy, and Joe McCarthy), and while one of our biggest collective influences is former Beatle Paul McCarthy, the real reason we are the McCarthys is... well, it's sort of a blurr, now. An enigma , really. An enigma wrapped in a mystery. An Enigma, wrapped in a mystery, covered with secret sauce... well ,you get the picture. I have no idea, it just came to us during particularly sleep deprived rehearsal, then BAM!!..now we are the McCarthys. As far as describing the music, feel free to use whatever label you like: Country,Alt Country, Insurgent Country, Country Rock, Rock Country (?), Roots Rock, Americana, it doesn't matter to us as long as you come to our shows, purchase our fine products and have a good time. Thanks again, and lock up when you leave. The McCarthys

Music Style Alt Country/Amaericana/Roots Rock

Musical Influences Graham Parsons, Johnny Cash, The Beatles, Steve Earle, Dwight Yoakum

Artist History After ten years of bottle clubs, state fairs, shotguns, high cholesteral 2:30 AM breakfasts,and way too much Dos Equis, the boys in local bottleclub band Streamliner call it quits. A few years pass and three of the former members( Holden, Davison and Emery) decide to get together, just to write and play their own stuff just for some fun. Emery and Jimmy McGirr had played together as sidemen with Darien Brahms, Jeremy Federman, Kip Brown, and Paul French, so McGirr joins . The band is complete. Everyone writes, everyone sings.The product of the union is greater than the sum of its' parts, so they decide to record and play out.

Group Members Dale Holden Acoustic Guitar , Electric Guitar, Pedal Steel, Banjo, Vocals Holden Bros. Band,founding member of Streamliner, an award©winning 80's country band that opened and/or backed up Big Al Downing (he's the Man!) Freddie Fender, Kix Brooks(of Brooks and Dunn) and Kathy Mattea. John Davison Drums, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals Founding member of Streamliner, this former Virginian opened for Willie Nelson in 1999 as a member of Diesel Doug and the Long Haul Truckers. Tim Emery Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Bass, Vocals Streamliner, founding member of blues rock power trio Midnite Rider, sideman for JD and the Dogfight ( former Blend members) Paul French, and Joan Kennedy(MCA Records). Jimmy McGirr Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Vocals This transplanted New Yorker has probably played in more bands than the other three combined, but is currently playing with Jenny Woodman,Cattle Call, The Steve Maclean Ensemble, and is the Choir Director for the Williston West Church.

Instruments acoustic and electric guitars, bass, drums,pedal steel

Albums "The McCarthys" on Side By Each Records

Press Reviews FACE Magazine March 15-28, 2000 Local Record Roundup Spring 2000 Part I by Bennie Green The McCarthys (CD) c/o 71 Winn Rd Falmouth, ME 04105 Guitarists Dale Holden and Tim Emery, bassist Jim NcGirr and drummer John Davison have played around Portland almost three quarters of a century between them. That experience shows on their debut CD, The McCarthys . In fact, these boys probably should have gotten together a long time ago. As engineered and produced by Joe Brien, this is an early contender for Record of the Year. This opens with "Quaker Gun" a Davison/Emery story/song aboiut a confederate soldier on the brink of desertion. Musically this blends old style Southern rock with the BoDeans/Subdudes sound. In other words, Mainers gonna love this. Of course they'll be equally partial to a country-ish road song like "Stand Down" And though it sounds incongruous, "Oceans Eleven", Emery's ode to surf guitar fits in with the rest of these just perfectly. Perhaps the most pleasant surprise on The McCarthys is Jim McGirr's three straight country songs, all of which date back to 1972. "The Guy That Slaps the Horse" is a twisted view of wild west hangings."Hymn to a Barmaid" wears its heart on its sleeve without being sentimental or weepy, perhaps a country music first. Then "Truck Driver" picks up that driving rhythm with a decidely 70's bent. There's so much that's good about The McCarthys that its tempting to just shove it in the box for anyone who will listen. But beyond these excellent songs are the vocals from all four members and the Emery/Holden guitars which are not only well played but recorded in a way that only someone with Joe Briens ear for strings could achieve. Yeah, this is the shit and then some.

Location Portland, ME - USA

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